guideline

guideline — noun

1. A piece of information or a suggested rule from an authority or expert, describi

1.nounB2
Definition

A piece of information or a suggested rule from an authority or expert, describing the best way to carry out a task or make a decision.

Example

The school has issued new guidelines for dealing with bullying among students.

guideline for + noun/gerund

The government released guidelines on safe food storage during the summer heat.

guideline on + topic

Common collocations
  • issue guidelines
  • follow guidelines
  • provide guidelines
  • set guidelines
  • strict guidelines
  • clear guidelines
  • safety guidelines
  • guidelines for
  • guidelines on
Synonyms
  • rule

    stronger and more binding; rules are often enforced

  • recommendation

    less formal and less detailed than a guideline

  • standard

    usually sets a minimum requirement that must be met

Grammar Patterns

guideline for + noun/gerund

guideline on + noun/gerund

Usage Note

Frequently used in the plural form 'guidelines' even when referring to a single document or set of principles. Unlike rules or laws, guidelines are generally advisory and not enforced by penalties.

Common Mistakes

Students must follow the new school guidelines or they will be punished.
Students must follow the new school rules or they will be punished.
Guidelines are suggestions, not mandatory rules with penalties.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A guideline is a suggested course of action from an authority — it tells you the best way, but not the only way. A rule is stronger: it must be followed, often with consequences for breaking it. A recommendation is softer and can come from anyone, not just an organisation. A standard is a fixed level of quality or achievement that people are expected to meet. A policy is a formal set of principles adopted by an organisation. For example, a hospital may issue guidelines on hand washing (suggested best practice), while it has a strict rule that all staff must wash hands before surgery.

guideline ↗rule ↗recommendation ↗standard ↗policy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • set of guidelines
  • guidelines for dealing with

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchLatinEnglish

The word 'guideline' combines 'guide' (from Old French 'guider', meaning to show the way) and 'line' (from Latin 'linea', a string or mark). Its earliest use was literal — a rope used to guide climbers across difficult terrain. The modern meaning of 'a principle that directs a course of action' emerged in the late 18th century.